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Wednesday, March 9, 2016

7-Up (Valley of Fire) - 3/8/16

Mesa #7 from the Trailhead

Climbing Up

Going Down

Baby Bighorn met an Early Demise

This Tuesday's hike stood up to its expectations as hikers converged in the Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, and completed another new hike by Brian called 7-Up. This route started from the Mouse's Tank Trailhead, climbed seven different mesas starting with #7, then returned to the trailhead via a reverse loop from the Five Mesas hike done last month. Laszlo sent these photos with captions referring to the hike's strategy of up, up some more then down a bit and repeat! ... with a bighorn watching from the rock above "scrutinizing our every advancing move!"

Some Ups were Trickier than Others

Along with Brian's donated GPS track came a narrative by Mike OC as follows:

Finally Our First Mesa (Mesa #7)

Motoring up I-15 toward Apex, the smog of the Las Vegas Valley was in
our rear view mirror. Nothing but blue skies ahead. Destination: Mouse’s
Tank in the Valley of Fire.

Then Down Again

And Up Again

A fortnight earlier, Brian Dodd debuted his
Five-mesa hike. Today’s plan was to add a couple flattops to that
figure. Brian labeled it, “7 Up.” Emphasis on the “Up.” This would be
another new hike for ABF, as Brian & Chuck had been scouting a route
that would include all seven mesas. No easy task.

As a warm, late winter sun shone down upon us in the parking lot, layer
shedding began in earnest.

Following the Leader Down Some More

Starting in reverse order, mesas seven &
six would prove to be the toughest climbs of the day. Good planning to
knock these guys off early in the relative cool of the morning and then
move on to the final five.

Another Mesa in View

Atop mesa number five, some thoughtful soul
had choppered in a picnic table just for us. Looked like a grand spot
for lunch.

Mesa #4 - The Largest

Down

From there it was more roller coaster terrain as we attacked
mesas four through one. Upon reaching the elusive number one, we still
had a two-mile overland jaunt back to the trailhead. “All downhill from
here,” Brian assured us. He lied. We know why he didn’t dub the hike, “7
Down.”

Showcasing the ethnic makeup of our club, we had six countries duly
represented: Germany (Karl), France (Anne), Hungary (László), Japan
(Setsuko), Russia (Luba) and representing the UK was Sir Brian. Plus two
gents from California. A veritable League of Nations!

Welcome to our website!

As a group of people who have climbed over the age 50 mark and still have very young hearts (pun intended), we welcome new members and guests to our club. It is easy to join. Just show up at a hike rated leisurely and pay your yearly dues of $5. If you aren't sure about it, be our guest for one hike. You will be required to sign a waiver of liability and a release of your image to be used on this website if you happen to walk inadvertently in front of a camera.

To the extent that we contemplate ourselves and elevate our state of life, we can deepen our understanding of others. Someone who does so is capable of recognizing and treasuring people’s individuality. A person of wisdom tries to invigorate others and bring out the best in them.

I believe friendship is the most genuinely humane relationship of which we are capable. To be understood and appreciated for oneself is a vital experience in life.

Points to Ponder

Dogs solution for stress: if you cannot eat it, if you cannot play with it, pee on it and walk away.